Key-retaining device



?. Sheets-Sheet l G. ALGER KEY RETAINING DEV ICE Original Filed nae. 25,1922 NQ'VQQ 192.6.

INVBNTOR ATTORNEY WITNESI Nova 9,1926. 1,606,135

G. ALGER KEY RETAINING DEVICE Original iled ec- 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 26km Alger INVENTOR I r '1 V WITNESI: W ATTORNEY Fatented Nov. 9, 122%.

GLEN ALGER, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, 'ASSIGNQR TQED'WARD C.MCALEES,'OF

, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

' KEY-RETAINING DEVICE.

Application filed December 23, 1922, Serial No. 608,677. RenewedApril'lfi, 1926.

This invention relates to combined locking and key retaining devices andhas for an object the provision of means secured to and movable with theshank of a door knob ant detachably engageable with a key, for holdingthe knob against rotation and thereby preventing operation of thelatching bolt of a lock.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means slidablymounted upon the door knob shank and removably engaged with the key forholding the latter within the look, so that the key cannot be forcedfrom the lock and the knob operated. Thus both the locking bolt andlatching bolt of the lock may be securely held in locked position.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further includesthe following novel features and details of construction, to behereinafter more fully described, illus trated in. the accompanyingdrawings and pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings 7 Figure 1 is an elevation of a portion of a door withthe knob shown by dotted lines and the invention shown in use.

Figure 2 is an edge view of the same.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view.

Figure l is a transverse horizontal sectional view.

Figure, 5 is an elevation similar to Figure 1 showing a key suspendedfrom the key retaining element.

Figure 6 is a detail perspective View of the latch locking element.

Figure 7 is a similar view of the key en gaging element.

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like characters ofreference denote corresponding parts, the reference character 10indicates a portion of a door, 11 indicates a lock and 12 a door knob,the latter being mounted upon the usual shank 13 which operates a springactuated latch bolt 14:, the locking bolt of the lock being indicated at15. All of the foregoing may be of the usual or any preferredconstruction. the invention residing in means for preventing operationof the latching bolt 14: and the operation or removal of the key whichoperates the looking bolt 15, the said key being indicated at 16.

For this purpose, the invention includes a plate 17, which may be madeof a flat metal strip and whichis provided at one end with a rectangularopening 18 which is adapted to receive and snugly fit the rectangularshank 13 of the knob 12, so that when the knob is rotated to operate thelatching bolt 14;, the plate 17 will move therewith. The plate 17 isprovided at its opposite end with an elongated longitudinally extendingslot 19 which is preferably closed at its outer end and which is adaptedto receive the shank of the key 16, so'that when the key is in positionwithin the lock and the slotted or bifurcated end of the plate 17 isengaged over the shank of the key, it will be impossible to rotate theknob 12 to operate the latching bolt 14.

In order to prevent removal of the key fromthe outer or opposite side ofthe door, there is provided a key retainer in the form of a plate 20.This plate is provided with an elongated slot 21 which receives theshank of the knob 12 in a manner to permit of sliding or rotary movementof the plate. EX-

tending from one end of the plate 20 is a projection 22 which ispreferably pointed at its outer end and which is adapted to enter theusual opening provided on the outer end of the shank of the key and whenso engaged, the key will be securely held within the lock. Thus it willbe impossible to force the key from the look from the outer or oppositeside of the door so that rotation of the knob will be prevented. Inaddition, the locking bolt 15 may be moved to a looking position beforeengaging the key retainer with the key, so that a double locking effectis obtained. Extending from the opposite end of the bolt 20 is ahook-shaped lug or extension 23. This hook-shaped lug or extensionprovides a hanger for the key 16 when the latter is not in use, as shownin Figure 5 of the drawings, so that the key will not becomeaccidentally lost or miss placed. When the key is removed from the lock,the knob may be freely rotated to operate the latching bolt 14.

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportionsand minor details ofconstruction and the right is herein reserved tomake such changes as properly fall within the scope of the appendedclaim. Having described the invention what is claimed is The=combination of a door having a keyhole extending therethrough, a lockcarried by the door and including a latch bolt, a

transverse shaft of angular form in cross end of the knob shank and alsohaving a section and a knob having a shank secured slot to receive theshank of the key, and the on the inner extended end portion of saidother plate slotted and receiving the knob 1 shaft, and plates forengaging a key inserted shank and having an end portion adapted to insaid key-hole upon the inner side of the be inserted in the open handleof the key. door; one of the said plates having an angu- In testimonywhereof I afiix my signature. lar aperture receiving said shaft attheainner 'GLEN ALGER.

